Tag Archive for 'nyc'

Martin Rev is better known as the noisier half of the incredible NYC group Suicide. Though Suicide put out a few additional albums over the years (the latest in 1988), both Rev and partner Alan Vega put out some top-notch (and not-so-top-notch) solo records. The earlier ones are best, I’ve found.

This record is very reminiscent of was Suicide was doing– minimal, droney washes over speady beats– but you can tell Rev is using his freedom to really experiment with the additional synth tools he had at his disposal. It’s really good stuff, I think.

I’d say that the best thing the two ever did was the live Suicide album Zero Hour, which is comprised of two concerts from the late 70s in New York and Berlin.

Great new wave from NYC. I really love the use of warm, light keys in all of this band’s music. This album was produced in part by Phillip Glass, which may be why it sounds so fresh still.

I just found out that this album, as well as their album Changing Hearts were re-released by Wounded Bird this year. I think I’ve picked up all of their discs in the dollar bin, but I urge you to get the cds. That way you don’t have to deal with any surface noise. & check out Wounded Bird’s tons of other great 60s, 70s, and 80s re-releases while you’re at it.

One of the things I love about this record sleeve beyond the awesome colors and typography, is the portraits on the back… it seriously looks like 5 of the 6 are the same person in different clothes and poses: